Ask the DMV: Two years after move to Mass., she’s still registered in R.I.

Saturday

Aug 31, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Q: I bought a car with my then-spouse and we divorced a few years ago. I recently paid off the loan and received a valid R.I. title. If I want to dispose of the vehicle (either by sale or trade-in), do...

Q: I moved from Rhode Island to Massachusetts and have been living there for two years now. But I have never changed my license plates or driverís license to Massachusetts. Are there any ramifications?

C.Z.

A: State law requires that within 30 days of moving to Rhode Island you must obtain a new title and registration for your vehicle, as well as a new driverís license. You are driving a vehicle that is registered in Rhode Island and you have a R.I. driverís license. However, you are no longer living in the state or garaging your vehicle in the state, and you do not have a Rhode Island address. I would contact the Massachusetts RMV to answer your questions regarding Massachusetts law and any violations. I believe that Massachusetts may have similar laws regarding transferring your license and registration.

Q: My license and registration are suspended. After reading your column, I spoke to Operator Control to request that my license and registration be returned. I was informed that the license would not be returned but I could apply for a Rhode Island ID card and I could have my plates back after I produce an SR-22. My insurance agent is confused as to why this is necessary if the SR-22 confirms insurance on my license and not the vehicle and my license is suspended.

Joe

A: There are two reasons for an SR-22 Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate. The SR 22 certifies insurance on the Ownerís Policy and an SR-22 may also be applied to the Operatorís Policy of any non-owned vehicle. DMV can reinstate your registration for a fee of $251.50 if you file the SR-22 Financial Responsibility for the future. Although you may retain your plates, they will remain suspended until proof of financial responsibility is filed with your insurance company. If the reason for your suspension was that there was no auto insurance, you will not be able to get your plates back ó even if you have filed the SR-22. The new state law that allows suspended drivers to keep their licenses and/or registrations took effect in July 2013. If your suspensions were effective prior to that date, you were still required to turn in your driverís license and license plates. You must satisfy the previous requirements in order for your driving and/or registration privileges to be reinstated.

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Q: I bought a car with my then-spouse and we divorced a few years ago. I recently paid off the loan and received a valid R.I. title. If I want to dispose of the vehicle (either by sale or trade-in), do I need his signature on the title ó even if I am the primary owner of the vehicle?

Mary, Foster

A: If two of your names appear on the front of your title, both of you will need to sign the title as sellers when you want to sell or trade in the vehicle.

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Q: When is the State going to issue new plates? My plate looks like cheese because I had to drill holes to mount it on my motorcycle.

Dave, Coventry

A: The state plans to have a reissuance of license plates sometime in the future. However there is no set date. In the meantime, you can come to any DMV and request a remake of your current plate. You may also bring your current plate and registration with you and do a plate change to a new number. Fee for a plate change is $21.50. Fee for a remake is $31.50.

For more information about DMVís online services, including online license and registration renewal, please visit our website at dmv.ri.gov.